I have a 98 V-6 Auto (196,000 miles) and I'm averaging 12-15 mpg. No trailer, no extra weight...

Is this a normal range for gas mileage, or do I have something else going on??

Thanks,
Mike

 

congratulatios on the longevity of your vehicle! your mileage seems on the low side. my 4.2 4x4 5speed get 16 to 19 mpg. part of your issue may be the high mileage on your engine. it would seem that you should be doing better than you are though.

 

I have the '97 4.2 F-150 with automatic transmission, stock wheels and I think the 3.18 rear end. I get 16mpg consistantly.

 

2002 4.2 auto, extra cab 3.55ls, 255/70/16's, flowmaster, airaid, superchip and I get about 12-13.

 

Thanks guys!

I thought it may be due to the mileage as well, and was thinking of adding a chip for a possible improvement. I think the rear end may have been changed at some point too.

 

What kind of power gains did you see with the addition of the Superchip?

 

I just ran the first tank through my 04 Heritage 4.2, five speed, 3.55 gear with 6.5 foot bed and got 22.4 mpg at 65 mph highway.

 

My V6 had great mileage when new. When I traded it in with 220,000, my fuel efficiency wasn't all that better than the 5.4 I have now.

I think its an age thing. The Chev I had previously was the same. Crap mileage when the engine got old and lost compression.

 

The superchip added as much power increase as the intake/exhaust combo if not more. Personally I love it, I am going to get the microtuner now that it is out and take my superchip out. The microtuner has (3) programs on it, 87 that is tow compatable, 91 that is tow compatable, and a 91 performance. It's the way to go. Also you can just plug it in a set it to stock if you ever have to take your truck in to the dealer for something. Stock the 4.2 produces 207 I believe, I havent had mine on the dyno, but with the intake/exhaust and chip, I'm sure its close to the stock 4.6 between 230-240.

 

You know that if you dyno your completely stock 4.2 it will NOT make 200 HP to the wheels. It will make around 20% less than that because of power train loss. Automatics reduce HP by around 20% and manuals reduce HP by around 15%. The advertised 200 HP is at the motor on a motor dyno, NOT a wheel dyno.

 

With the 9100 programmer I would guess 20hp at least maybe a little more. I have had mine in my 2000 F150 S/C about 8 months running the 93 oct performance program and love it, I also have noticed no gain in mileage but that could vary from truck to driver and such. I have 34k now and average 21mpg tank after tank, but I do live in the sticks so mostily all country road driving.

 

I looked on the Superchip site and and Hypertech site, but could not find a reference to the 9100 programmer...who makes this one?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Superchips makes the 9100. I got mine from Mike Troyer at Troyer Performance.